Project Manager, Systems Engineer, Aerospace ​/ Aviation ​/ Avionics

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Space Kinetic is a venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 prototype. Our goal is to leverage this platform to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain and catalyzing the emerging space economy.

We are seeking a Project Manager to support technical program execution, coordinate cross-functional engineering activities, and help drive aerospace development programs from planning through execution.

The Project Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating technical projects involving aerospace hardware development, engineering execution, manufacturing readiness, and program deliverables. This role combines technical coordination, project execution discipline, and aerospace program support to help ensure engineering development efforts move efficiently from concept through production readiness. This position requires engineering understanding sufficient to communicate effectively with technical teams, manage schedules, identify risks, and ensure projects remain aligned with customer requirements, internal milestones, and business objectives.

The Project Manager serves as a central point of coordination between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, leadership, and external stakeholders.

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of aerospace engineering and hardware development projects
• Develop and maintain project schedules, milestones, action trackers, and program status reporting
• Coordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and leadership teams to ensure execution against program goals
• Support technical reviews, design reviews, production readiness discussions, and milestone planning
• Monitor project scope, schedule, cost drivers, and execution risks
• Identify schedule impacts, technical dependencies, and program constraints early and elevate when needed
• Track deliverables, action items, procurement dependencies, and critical path activities
• Facilitate internal meetings and ensure follow-up actions are completed across teams
• Support customer‑facing updates, program documentation, and status communications as needed
• Help manage contract deliverables and internal execution against awarded program requirements
• Work closely with engineering teams to understand technical priorities and execution challenges
• Assist leadership in translating technical development priorities into executable project plans
• Support disciplined configuration management processes for hardware and software to maintain revision control, traceability, and alignment across program activities
• Coordinate and monitor test‑readiness activities, including technical preparation, documentation status, material readiness, and integration planning prior to test execution
• Support integration activities across hardware and software elements, maintaining visibility into dependencies that affect system performance and program milestones
• Demonstrate understanding of how software integrates within broader system architecture and support coordination between software and hardware development efforts
• Support continuous improvement in program controls, reporting structure, and execution discipline

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field preferred
• 5+ years of project management experience supporting engineering, aerospace, manufacturing, or hardware development programs
• Aerospace industry experience required
• Strong understanding of engineering development processes, technical schedules, and hardware program execution
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and software functions
• Experience managing schedules,…